c25k - not able to finish intervals?

EuphonyChloeH

I recently started (and stopped) the c25k program, and would like to start up again. The trouble is, I'm a good 70 - 90 pounds overweight and it doesn't take much for my heart rate to shoot up. When I am finishing up a running interval, my heart rate is at it's cardio peak, and most likely going over a bit (going anaerobic). I wear a heart monitor when I run so I'm sure it's accurately reading. I fear moving onto the next "week" because I won't be able to finish running intervals without my heart rate getting really high. Oh, and I am going at my slowest running speed possible - seriously, I can't go any slower.

So, should I take the program one week at a time until my heart rate gets used to the intervals I'm running? If this is the case, my C25K will probably take more like 9 months instead of 9 weeks LOL. Any other tips? Hope to hear some of you can relate, and I appreciate your help!

IRun4Me_12

Jog as slow as you possibly can, and repeat as needed. When I started C25K (the beginning of January), I could barely jog for 30 seconds. I am now able to jog 15-20 minutes (my speed is only at 4-4.5 mph). I was 30-40 lbs overweight when I started.

Don't worry about how long it takes you to complete it - the important thing is you are doing it! Good luck! Feel free to add me if you like.

willismack2

You should take it one week at a time. It is not a race You will know when you are ready to advance to the next stage. It is all good. Keep up the good work!

secretlobster

Honestly, the struggle of a new exercise program is to keep up. When you're a beginner to something that is difficult for you, you may not be able to do the whole thing. THAT IS TOTALLY OKAY. It means you are working as hard as you can! That's what counts!

If you keep at it, you will find that your endurance will increase. I would say that it's a good thing you can't finish the intervals because you're working at maximum capacity and increasing your cardiovascular/muscular endurance. Don't despair, this is part of the process!

shvrngrl

I weighted 250 lbs the first time I did C25K (that was in 2006) and I would hit my peak cardio level every time. The amazing thing is your heart adapts. I would suggest backing off and running slower. I no longer use my heart rate monitor, I go by the talking rule. If I can have a conversation through heavy breath, I'm good. You're doing great.

Also, I did as much as I could each week. If the workout was still too hard at the end of the week, I would continue the same workout the following week until I felt ready to move on.

Graciecny

I recently started (and stopped) the c25k program, and would like to start up again. The trouble is, I'm a good 70 - 90 pounds overweight and it doesn't take much for my heart rate to shoot up. When I am finishing up a running interval, my heart rate is at it's cardio peak, and most likely going over a bit (going anaerobic). I wear a heart monitor when I run so I'm sure it's accurately reading. I fear moving onto the next "week" because I won't be able to finish running intervals without my heart rate getting really high. Oh, and I am going at my slowest running speed possible - seriously, I can't go any slower.

So, should I take the program one week at a time until my heart rate gets used to the intervals I'm running? If this is the case, my C25K will probably take more like 9 months instead of 9 weeks LOL. Any other tips? Hope to hear some of you can relate, and I appreciate your help!

Thank you for asking this, EuphonyChloeH! I'm 60 or so pounds overweight and my HR yesterday was a tad over max toward the very end of the last longer jogging segment (still in the early weeks). I figure, personally, next time I'll try to push on to the following day/week, but if I can't complete it, I'm going to back up and redo the last day of the previous week (what I did yesterday) again instead. My thought is that anything I'm doing is far more than I was doing a few short weeks agom KWIM?! I won't redo the week, just that day, and try to move forward next time again.

And for those who say you'll know when you are ready to move on, each and every time I've switched to a new day/week I would have bet I couldn't do it. And yet I did! So honestly, I think just try to push forward as long as you feel it is possible/reasonable. If you can't manage it, back up a day and try that one again. Rinse and repeat. Just my $0.02, which is about all it is worth. :laugh:

IRun4Me_12

I recently started (and stopped) the c25k program, and would like to start up again. The trouble is, I'm a good 70 - 90 pounds overweight and it doesn't take much for my heart rate to shoot up. When I am finishing up a running interval, my heart rate is at it's cardio peak, and most likely going over a bit (going anaerobic). I wear a heart monitor when I run so I'm sure it's accurately reading. I fear moving onto the next "week" because I won't be able to finish running intervals without my heart rate getting really high. Oh, and I am going at my slowest running speed possible - seriously, I can't go any slower.

So, should I take the program one week at a time until my heart rate gets used to the intervals I'm running? If this is the case, my C25K will probably take more like 9 months instead of 9 weeks LOL. Any other tips? Hope to hear some of you can relate, and I appreciate your help!

Thank you for asking this, EuphonyChloeH! I'm 60 or so pounds overweight and my HR yesterday was a tad over max toward the very end of the last longer jogging segment (still in the early weeks). I figure, personally, next time I'll try to push on to the following day/week, but if I can't complete it, I'm going to back up and redo the last day of the previous week (what I did yesterday) again instead. My thought is that anything I'm doing is far more than I was doing a few short weeks agom KWIM?! I won't redo the week, just that day, and try to move forward next time again.

And for those who say you'll know when you are ready to move on, each and every time I've switched to a new day/week I would have bet I couldn't do it. And yet I did! So honestly, I think just try to push forward as long as you feel it is possible/reasonable. If you can't manage it, back up a day and try that one again. Rinse and repeat. Just my $0.02, which is about all it is worth. :laugh:

A lot of times over the past few weeks, I have found that the real struggle was in my head. I got so worried about moving on to the next week and those daunting longer runs. But each and every time, I moved on and found that I am so much stronger than I give myself credit for!

EuphonyChloeH

Thanks everyone for your responses! I used to be a runner back in high school, and I think my problem now is that I want to progress faster than I should. I'm 80 pounds heavier now, so I need to go 80 pounds slower LOL. I'm going to take my sweet time now